Rotorua (Tauranga), New Zealand
"Nestled on the Bay of Plenty, the port of Tauranga is watched over by the dramatic
Mt. Maunganui, an extinct volcano that helped shape this spectacular region of white-sand beaches and azure waters. The Maori arrived here in the 13th century, followed by the British 600 years later. Today, the city is home to a thriving cultural scene and stunning vistas of mountains rising from the surrounding waters. Tauranga is best known as the gateway to the bubbling mud pools, thermal fields of Rotorua. The local Maori believe this cauldron-like region to be a gift of fire from the gods. The dramatic phenomenon derives from sulfurous steam rising from within the earth through deep crevices."
Agapanthus flowers
The Bay of Plenty town of Te Puke, is known as the kiwifruit capital of the world. Te Puke, pronounced "tay-pookey", is New Zealand's premier region for the production of the nation's namesake fruit - kiwifruit....green and gold.
Avocado trees
Not sure if Tom is checking out something in the ocean,
or looking in someone's window on a passing cruise ship!
Our Aussie friends told us that, years ago, a graduating high school group threw some tires in the middle of the volcano in the city and set them on fire! Caused a major panic in the city that the dormant volcano was coming alive again. Not so funny in a country that is prone to volcanos.
ReplyDelete